Sale of advance launch tickets for the Eid-ul-Fitr holidaymakers will begin on Tuesday, according to sources of the launch operators.
Besides, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will run special launch service from May 30 to ensure safe journey for the homebound passengers during the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
"We'll start selling advance tickets of launch cabins from Tuesday next," a launch owner of Dhaka- Barisal route told the FE.
He, however, said the passengers who will travel on the launch deck could purchase tickets on the days of their respective journeys.
Launch tickets will be sold online and in counters, added the sources.
"We're ready to provide Eid special services from May 30 to ensure safe journey for the home-goers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr," a high official of BIWTA at Sadarghat river port terminal in the city told the FE.
Around 3.5 million passengers are expected to make their journey on the waterways to the country's southern region this Eid.
A total of 220 launches and six streamers will move on the Dhaka-Barishal and other routes of the region.
A high official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) told the FE that plying of goods-laden vehicles, especially trucks, will remain suspended on the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route six days before and after the Fitr.
Twenty ferries will carry passengers at that time. The Ministry of Shipping (MoS) will take necessary steps to ensure safe journey for the Eid holidaymakers.
It will also deploy surveillance teams to monitor the overall situation on the waterways during the Eid.
The MoS will conduct mobile courts at ferry and launch ghats ahead of Eid to prevent realising extra fare and overloading vessels with passengers.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com